How many of you feel like kids today have way too many toys, and that their rooms feel like toy stores themselves? Toy minimalism is the act of reducing toy clutter. However, it’s not only about giving away toys you no longer wish to have around but introducing your kids to toys that will teach them, along with the having-fun bit, of course. The education system today leaves a lot to desire, and by encouraging children to play with the right toys, we can ensure they learn the fundamental skills they need early on in life.
Often we see kids’ rooms filled with a variety of toys- flashy trucks, dollhouses that light up, plastic balls that have their own music, and yet they complain that they have nothing to play with. We feel stumped, and unable to get to the root of the problem. Well, this happens because the child gets attracted to the toy, enjoys the brief happiness it brings with it, and is then done with it. The toy no longer challenges or interests them and leaves them looking for the next bright and loud thing of joy. It’s no surprise that even with boxes stuffed with toys, they’d rather play with the cutlery and utensils in your kitchen. Studies show that fewer toys give rise to focused and more imaginative play- who wood have known?!
Parents want their kids to develop life skills like creative problem solving, critical thinking, and perseverance- and what better way than through play? Lesser toys will help children get creative and are, thus, better for them. When toys are minimalistic in design, they leave for uninhibited thinking. Toy minimalism is therefore not only about the number of toys in your home, but in the way that they’re made too. Open-ended, sustainable, and responsibly produced toys are the new best thing for our world today- it’s what the kids need! Imagine a world where kids are playing with toys that are intentionally designed for them, their play, their growth.
